Islamic World News

First Jumha Prayers in Albania

For the first time in 23
years the sounds of The Muazin (the caller of prayers) reverberated through
Tirana, Albania on January 19, when the Muslims of this only majority Muslim
state of Europe, offered Jumha prayers in the centrally located Etem Bay
mosque. Besides the Muslims attending the Jumha prayers, there were more
than 15,000 onlookers gathered to witness this historic event which was led
by Imam Ibrahim Bala.

Albania had been, until
this time, maintaining an iron-fisted stance. God-willing, this is the start
of many more Islamic events that will be taking place in Albania.

1000 Year old Mosque's Ruins Discovered in Kenya

Archaeologists have discovered
the ruins of a 1000 year old mosque on the Kenyan coast, the oldest known
trace of Islamic culture in East Africa. Richard Wilding, Head of Coastal
Archeology at the National Museum of Kenya, said: 'The mosque, believed to
date from around 950 A.D. was found among the ruins of a small trading community
on Pate Island near the Somali border. It was a small rectangular building
with stone foundations, discovered beneath a mosque of later construction.'
The mosque was discovered by a team from Oxford University in Britain, led
by Dr. Mark Horton.

Quranic Computer in Thailand

The Islamic Social and
Development Foundation of Thailand has developed a new computer system which
could display the complete text of the Holy Quran coupled with its interpretation
in English and 13 other languages. This system called "Dara" was
displayed at the Gulf Computer Exhibition in Dubai (UAE). The computer also
has a printer and voice capability. At the press of a button, the entire
Holy Quran could he seen and heard on the computer.

Muslim World's Largest Library

The Muslim world's largest
library is in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca. The library, which was built
at a cost of 40 million riyals (10.9 million dollars), has more than 40,000
books, 2,000 manuscripts, microfilms, and periodicals. Some of the material
dates back to the fifth Islamic century.

And Here in the US...

Muslim Imam Gives Opening Prayer in Tennesse State Senate

On Thursday, March 7, 1991,
the prayer service opening the Tennessee State Senate Session was Sura Al-Fatiha.
It was recited by Imam Ilyas Muhammed of Nashville, Tennessee. History was
made in all of the United States as Tennessee was the first state to have
a member of the Islamic faith to open a State Senate Session. However, this
was not an easy task to accomplish. Seven years ago Imam Muhammed wrote a
letter to the Tennessee State Senate stating that since Tennessee represents
a cross-section of faiths, the Islamic faith had been omitted and not represented
in the Senate or House of Representatives. His letter further stated: "As
a representative of the Islamic faith, an Imam (minister), I nominate myself
to be included and invited as 'Minister of the Day', to open the session
in prayer. The Muslim prayer that is used is universal to open all meetings,
services, etc. It is called 'Al-Fatiha' (Arabic meaning 'The Opening'). It
is the first Sura (chapter) in the Holy Book of the Muslim, the Qur'an.

"The substance or
contents of the prayer offends no group or single person, nor does it defy
or single out any of God's righteous Prophets. It is a most beautiful and
comprehensive prayer--short and concise. It is usually recited first in Arabic
and followed by the English translation."

After receiving Imam Muhammed's
letter, approval was given. In his opening statement, Imam Muhammed related:
"On behalf of the Muslim American Community of Nashville of Tennessee,
the Muslim Community of America and the international community of over one
billion Muslims, who bear witness to the existence and unity of One God, I
express our profound and humble appreciation... for this occasion that
could pass by in insignificance as just another procedural prayer opening the
session of the Senate. However, this occasion is highly significant beyond
what is immediately realized and moreover historical and destined to be a part
of the history of Tennessee. This marks a first for Tennessee Government and
to my knowledge a first for America, that a representative of the Islamic faith
has been granted the opportunity to lead the Senate or House in prayer."

Indeed this was an historic
event for Muslims everywhere. To have Islam recognized and included in our
government, is the giant step for much more progress to come. See also the
S.F. Chronicle, Mar.8, 1991 Page A7.